If you could redesign the T5 Galleries First lounge.....
Jan 26, 2020, 8:37 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
1. Fix the temperature issues.
2. Add outlets that actually work.
3. Add urinals for men and toilets where you don't have to touch the lid to flush. Gross.
4. Add food options that don't need a spoon to be served.
It's really not that radical.
2. Add outlets that actually work.
3. Add urinals for men and toilets where you don't have to touch the lid to flush. Gross.
4. Add food options that don't need a spoon to be served.
It's really not that radical.
Jan 26, 2020, 10:13 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,192
Improve the toilets
lots more plug sockets that work
more seats for solo travellers
low dividers between back to back seats to improve privacy and eliminate head clash
absolute and implemented ban on people using speaker phones / playing videos unless in a sealed off booth etc
more menus on tables
order food using an app
lots more plug sockets that work
more seats for solo travellers
low dividers between back to back seats to improve privacy and eliminate head clash
absolute and implemented ban on people using speaker phones / playing videos unless in a sealed off booth etc
more menus on tables
order food using an app
Jan 27, 2020, 1:16 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
Thre are many ways in which Galleries First could be improved to offer the level of service and comfort that is taken for granted in the T3 lounges, but I'd be happy if they would just sort out the washrooms. I'm sick of having to queue for a wee while someone is shaving or changing their clothes or just generally faffing around in the cubicles. Please, BA, just install toilets that are fit for purpose: if you don't know how, then just ask AY or QF.
Jan 27, 2020, 3:33 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: Mucci (Scirocco Sash), BAEC Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 863
For me the easy win is the champagne bar and business centre – completely underutilised, either convert to more general seating (perhaps with workstation booths in a portion of the current business centre) and/or reinvigorate the Gold Bar to a manned cocktail bar (probably wouldn’t happen for cost reasons). It should also be relatively easy to isolate this area for refurbishment while keeping the rest of the lounge open, albeit at the expense of a lot of noise pollution.
I think the food offer has been improving, there are often nice deli style options (salads, hummus etc) which I think could be expanded quite easily. The hot options veer to canteen style but aren't terrible (I still try to avoid them). Some kind of "food theatre" type offering should be achievable if BA would like to invest in it (e.g. a rotating hot dish option as found in many modern office catering facilities run by Baxter Storey).
And agree with everyone on toilet facilities – they are so far below what is customary in a good (or even average) lounge these days. CX sets the standard here to my mind.
I think the food offer has been improving, there are often nice deli style options (salads, hummus etc) which I think could be expanded quite easily. The hot options veer to canteen style but aren't terrible (I still try to avoid them). Some kind of "food theatre" type offering should be achievable if BA would like to invest in it (e.g. a rotating hot dish option as found in many modern office catering facilities run by Baxter Storey).
And agree with everyone on toilet facilities – they are so far below what is customary in a good (or even average) lounge these days. CX sets the standard here to my mind.
Jan 27, 2020, 5:08 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,405
The new premium lounge in Helsinki is a decent template in my opinion. I like the dining options at the far end, and although I have not yet had time to properly enjoy it, the oval shaped bar as you come in looks great. I have no idea about the relative footprint nor footfall of HEL vs T5GF, but I would assume that London gets many more people but also is much larger.
Jan 27, 2020, 5:23 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: BAEC (Gold), SPG (Lifetime Plat), Star Alliance, One World, Virgin (Gold)
Posts: 211
The new premium lounge in Helsinki is a decent template in my opinion. I like the dining options at the far end, and although I have not yet had time to properly enjoy it, the oval shaped bar as you come in looks great. I have no idea about the relative footprint nor footfall of HEL vs T5GF, but I would assume that London gets many more people but also is much larger.
Jan 27, 2020, 6:24 am
#37
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: South London
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 215
Fix the toilets so they don't feel like an NHS WC.
Menus on every table and someone visible to order from
fix the toilets
Is a cocktail bar like in HKG lounges pushing my luck?!
fix the toilets.
Menus on every table and someone visible to order from
fix the toilets
Is a cocktail bar like in HKG lounges pushing my luck?!
fix the toilets.
Jan 27, 2020, 6:33 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,164
also a more dedicated "quiet zone" would be good - again very like what the AA Flagship lounges do - a room with more private "cocoon" type chairs/loungers for solo travellers, with calls / loud talk banned in that zone - which allows quiet email / sitting quietly / even getting a bit of sleep - which is something GF is notably bad for - it really does not offer much for travellers on connections who might need to catch up on a bit of sleep! Personally, I am not fussed about that as I tend to depart ex-LHR, but I can see it's a bit of a miss for connecting traffic
something like that could be easily accommodated as a dual purpose 'quiet zone' / solo traveller hang-out in place of some of the outdated workstation space
something like that could be easily accommodated as a dual purpose 'quiet zone' / solo traveller hang-out in place of some of the outdated workstation space
Jan 27, 2020, 6:52 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London, Sth Africa or LAS
Programs: VS Silver, BA Blue - finally; but hotels.com Gold :)
Posts: 1,858
In my Gold days I merely tolerated T5 GF, it lost the opportunity to make my travel start in the most relaxing and comfortable manner (eg. as per CCR, T3 CX F and Biz, T3 AA F as was).
GF doesn't do service, doesn't do single traveller spaces, doesn't do well differentiated spaces (with the exception of the GF terrace on a cool but clear day), doesn't do good wifi and power. It doesn't even do showers.
Sure, there has to be high footfall given it is a Golds/OWE lounge, but the design doesn't cater to the basics or make interesting zones.
Maybe the design solution is to actually design it to what it is, a unique high volume large scale wait space needing to deliver for connecting passengers and starting passengers, the vast majority of whom are regulars and frequent flyers. Not a scaled up version of Galleries F branding.
GF doesn't do service, doesn't do single traveller spaces, doesn't do well differentiated spaces (with the exception of the GF terrace on a cool but clear day), doesn't do good wifi and power. It doesn't even do showers.
Sure, there has to be high footfall given it is a Golds/OWE lounge, but the design doesn't cater to the basics or make interesting zones.
Maybe the design solution is to actually design it to what it is, a unique high volume large scale wait space needing to deliver for connecting passengers and starting passengers, the vast majority of whom are regulars and frequent flyers. Not a scaled up version of Galleries F branding.
Jan 27, 2020, 7:16 am
#40
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,172
I would nail a HUGE sign over the door saying.
No Facetime
No Skype
No occupying more than one seat at a time
And No we do not wish to be party to your business bellowed into you phone.
in several languages. I have not yet decided which.
Over the reception I'd hammer
"I am not a Dragon, but try getting past this desk without entitlement and you are toast"
It is probably as well that such refinements will never be be within my power.
No Facetime
No Skype
No occupying more than one seat at a time
And No we do not wish to be party to your business bellowed into you phone.
in several languages. I have not yet decided which.
Over the reception I'd hammer
"I am not a Dragon, but try getting past this desk without entitlement and you are toast"
It is probably as well that such refinements will never be be within my power.
Jan 27, 2020, 7:34 am
#41
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 452
Jan 27, 2020, 7:42 am
#43
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK/France
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold, EY Plat, etc
Posts: 351
Great Theead. Looking at the original publicity made me think about the cohesion of the original concept that I think has been lost.
Now and then photos would really show this.
Must do:
1. More toilets/less unloved Novotel aesthetic about them.
2. Work Zone to be conf call corner with appropriate privacy/soundproofing for about 20 simultaneous phone calls/skype sessions.
3. Get rid of rows of high backed chairs facing a noisy chiller - looks like a retirement home but with added noise and heat.
4. Quiet/Snooze Zone to replace Champagne Bar as no need for natural light.
Nice to have:
5. Design coherence. Would love Paul Smith touches to liven it up and yet still be British 'Clubby'.
6. Restore/Replace the live wall between GF and CCR
7. Restore/Replace the Cloud by the escalators
8. Don't put tables around the servery counter as it doesn't smell nice there!
9. Cut out the pop up displays and bright advertising screens. You don't see them in the Pier F.
In an ideal world it would be Pier F but done to UK style. However Pier F has more in common with CCR than GF so something between CX J and F would be nice. Agree with whoever mentioned CX as reference for Toilets/Showers. The Cabanas in The Wing F are the best I have seen anywhere.
Now and then photos would really show this.
Must do:
1. More toilets/less unloved Novotel aesthetic about them.
2. Work Zone to be conf call corner with appropriate privacy/soundproofing for about 20 simultaneous phone calls/skype sessions.
3. Get rid of rows of high backed chairs facing a noisy chiller - looks like a retirement home but with added noise and heat.
4. Quiet/Snooze Zone to replace Champagne Bar as no need for natural light.
Nice to have:
5. Design coherence. Would love Paul Smith touches to liven it up and yet still be British 'Clubby'.
6. Restore/Replace the live wall between GF and CCR
7. Restore/Replace the Cloud by the escalators
8. Don't put tables around the servery counter as it doesn't smell nice there!
9. Cut out the pop up displays and bright advertising screens. You don't see them in the Pier F.
In an ideal world it would be Pier F but done to UK style. However Pier F has more in common with CCR than GF so something between CX J and F would be nice. Agree with whoever mentioned CX as reference for Toilets/Showers. The Cabanas in The Wing F are the best I have seen anywhere.
Last edited by Robespierre; Jan 27, 2020 at 7:49 am